Few things calm an investor's mind like real numbers. The US State Department publishes annual statistics on every visa category — and the E2's recent data tells a story of growth: fiscal year 2024 was a record year for the category.
Below, the key figures and — just as important — how to read them. As always: statistics inform the planning; the strength of your specific case is what decides it, and that's built with a well-chosen business and a well-structured application.
The headline numbers (FY2024)
- 55,324 E-2 visas issued in fiscal year 2024 — a record for the category;
- Roughly 90% of processed applications were approved;
- E-2 issuances represented about 0.5% of all US visas issued in the year.
Issuance figures include the investors' spouses and children, who also receive E-2 visas as dependents. And the ~90% approval rate reflects cases that reached a decision — typically prepared with attorneys. It doesn't mean any application has a 90% chance: weak cases are often adjusted or abandoned before a decision.
Who uses the E2 most
By nationality, Japan leads by a wide margin, with more than 15,000 issuances in FY2024 — reflecting decades of treaty use by Japanese companies and investors. South Korea and Canada follow, each above 6,000. European treaty countries — Germany, Italy, Spain, France, the UK — together account for a large share, and Portugal's addition to the treaty list in 2024 opened the door for a new group of applicants.
What the growth means for you
Three practical readings. First, the category is healthy and actively used — the E2 remains one of the most accessible paths for entrepreneurs to live in the US. Second, high volume means consulates process these cases routinely; well-prepared applications move through a known pipeline. Third, the ~90% figure reinforces something attorneys repeat: most decided cases are approved because they were built correctly — qualifying business, substantial committed investment, documented funds.
Where the numbers meet your case
Statistics don't approve visas — cases do. Our role at Unike is strengthening the foundation of yours: a franchise with a proven model, real hiring and profit prospects, suited to your profile. The application itself stays with the immigration attorney we refer. For the official data, see the State Department's visa statistics.